The BYD Shark 6's first competitor will cost more – and arrive too late to take advantage of the FBT exemption – but the Cannon Alpha PHEV can tow up to 3500kg, has a mechanical 4WD system, and claims a longer electric range.
Australia's second plug-in hybrid ute – the 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV – will see novated-lease buyers miss out on a lucrative tax exemption by a matter of days when the dual-cab arrives in showrooms in April.
The Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid will be available in two model grades, Lux and Ultra, priced from $63,990 and $68,990 drive-away respectively.
The cheapest version of the GWM will cost more than the rival BYD Shark 6 in all states and territories, which is priced from $57,900 plus on-road costs, or between $58,789 to $62,725 drive-away depending on where it is registered.
But the Ultra PHEV is only $4000 dearer the 'plug-less' Ultra hybrid – compared to a $10,000 to $15,000 premium for PHEV tech from other brands – and it is still priced in line with lower-grade diesel utes from Japanese brands.
Unlike a Shark 6, the Cannon Alpha PHEV can tow up to 3500kg braked – and uses a more traditional four-wheel-drive system with up to three locking differentials.
Showroom arrivals are not due to commence until April 2025, meaning buyers purchasing through a novated lease will be unable to take advantage of an exemption from Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT), which ends for PHEVs after March 30.
The tax break allows many PHEVs to be acquired for the same monthly or weekly cost as conventional petrol or diesel vehicles that, in some cases, would cost up to 50 per cent more to buy outright.
Powering the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is a 180kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and 120kW/400Nm electric motor, good for a claimed 300kW and 750Nm combined.
The Cannon Alpha's electric motor augments the engine, whereas a Shark 6 – which develops 321kW/650Nm – operates more like a dual-motor electric vehicle, with a petrol engine to support it.
The 37.1kWh battery pack is said to deliver up to 110km of claimed driving range in lab testing, against a Shark 6's 80km, for an 880km range in hybrid mode.
Outputs are sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission and a mechanical 4WD system, with high- and low-range gearing, and front, rear and centre locking differentials on the top grade.
GWM says its PHEV ute can run on electric power in 4WD high range, as well as at highway speeds, something it claims "is currently not offered in the segment."
DC fast charging at up to 50kW is supported, for a claimed 30 to 80 per cent fast charge in 26 minutes, as well as AC charging at up to 6.6kW, claimed to allow a full charge in 6.5 hours.
Vehicle-to-load technology allows the Cannon Alpha's battery to power external electrical devices at up to 3.3kW.
Also quoted are "multiple" terrain modes, a 3500kg braked towing capacity – compared to 2500kg for a 1.5-litre Shark 6 – an 800mm wading depth and 224mm of ground clearance.
The Cannon Alpha PHEV is said to weigh 2810kg, with a 3495kg gross vehicle mass, and fuel consumption in lab testing of 1.7L/100km.
2025 GWM Cannon Alpha price in Australia
Note: All prices above are drive-away.
2025 GWM Cannon Alpha Lux PHEV standard features:
2025 GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV adds (over Lux):
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
